Wednesday 31 March 2010

Boys Toys smock!

smock
Generous sized smock covered with easy-to-wipe plastic on the front. Made for a customer for her two year old son. I think I will make more long sleeve smocks for the store.

What's your opinion? Do you prefer sleeveless art smocks or art smocks with long elasticized sleeves like this one? I'm interested to know.....

Sunday 28 March 2010

Honey, I've met someone else.......

I met someone yesterday. We were shy at first, getting to know each other. I was in awe. I was moved to tears. I had to tear myself away from our first meeting, completely smitten.

After our first meeting, that someone was constantly on my mind whilst we were apart. The gorgeousness of them. The snuggles and the cuddles and the smell of them.

So I went back. Before I headed home this morning from the Barossa I went back for a last minute tryst, just so I could have a last look, cuddle and play.

I'm in puppy love. Our new family member joins us in two weeks. I'm beside myself with excitement!!

ETA - There are three girls in the litter, one of whom will become our family's sweetheart. Not sure which one yet. Will find that out in two weeks. But all the girls are divinely adorable.

puppies

Friday 26 March 2010

Vintage Ad Friday - 1950's

This week brings you some 1950's vintage advertisement goodness courtesy of Enid Gilchrist. I found these gorgeous ads amongst her edition of Boys and Girls - 48 Enid Gilchrist Patterns for 8-10 year olds. Sorry if the photos take a while to load on the page due to their size but I so wanted you to be able to read the text in these ads.

First up, the Elna Supermatic. What a razzle dazzle ad! Love the quote... "You choose... then your Elna thinks and sews for you". If only it were that easy!

ELNA

Next, a joyous advertisement for Wellstood heat storage cooker and water heater. Umm.... isn't that a fancy name for oven?? "Cooks wonderful meals for eight people". What if you only have three to dinner, does it cook below-average meals?

COOKER

And lucky last, the good old reliable, classy, doubles as a children's swing Hills Hoist. Love the accessories that were marketed with the hoist - the 'Laundry Pram', the 'Folding Chair' and the 'Twin Seat Swing' (not what we'd call a safe swing in today's standards). And would you look at the snazzy shade cover fitting so neatly over the Hills that the housewife has whipped up in her spare time?

I really love this ad. I've just recently reluctantly relinquished the original 1950's Hills Hoist that resided in our backyard and installed a modern Hills Hoist. And you know, it's just not the same. The new hoist is bright green and has plastic bits on it. And it doesn't creak. Makes me a bit sad.

Anyhoo, hope you've enjoyed this 1950's exploration this week and I wish you a happy weekend!

HILLS

Wednesday 24 March 2010

The Silly Gilly version of Kyoko

Last year at Inspired Stitches, I dreamt up a plan to make my daughter a new dress. Only now 11 months later has that dress finally been completed! Just in time for the Kindy Art Show this evening.

kyoko

The pattern I used is Kyoko - Modkid by Patty Young. The pattern includes another version for a short sleeved top. I made the size 6 for my very tall 4 year old and it is a smidge too big for her. The design is roomy to begin with but never mind, I don't mind clothes that are too big. It just means that you can get more wear out of them! Poppet loves the new dress. I can see it teamed with leggings or jeans for cooler weather too. I love the japanese theme to this dress. It even has an obi that you tie around their waist to bring in the fullness of the dress! So cute!!

Fabrics used are 70's Rainbow Garden by Prints Charming (floral with white background), Andalucia Tiny Dots by Michael Miller (white with tiny polka dots) and Good Folks AH21 - Cathedral Peony by Anna Maria Horner for Free Spirit Fabrics (2 tone pink).

Friday 19 March 2010

Vintage Ad Friday!

This week I thought I would share some of those smaller ads that appeared in the women's magazines. You know the ones, they are the space fillers at the back of the magazines amongst the ends of the romance stories and knitting patterns.

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Woman's Weekly - October 1958
Sure she's moody... She's got a mother who shoves Syrup of Figs down her throat!!


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New Idea - August 1966
Made of rubber.... wear it whilst you work.... hmmm, sounds like you might need a good cleansing facial after wearing this baby!


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New Idea - December 1961
'The one thing every woman wants - MOST OF ALL!' Of course a kitchen accessory is at the top of every woman's wish list. Forget the holiday to Vegas or a faithful husband, give your wife a really beautiful can opener.


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Woman's Weekly - October 1958.
Ah, pure rich fat. Not much more to say about that one.....

Wednesday 17 March 2010

New ideas need to be tested!

I mentioned in my last post that I have a new pattern in the making. I have finally reached the pattern writing stage and am looking for two pattern testers to go through and provide me with valuable feedback.

house

The project involves a small amount of machine sewing and basic embroidery skills. If you are able to finish the project within two weeks, please leave a comment below. I will select two people to test run the design based on their current skill levels and usual projects. This is a basic level pattern so even children aged approximately 8-10 years could do this? Or even clever girls like Nikki's with some mummy help!

Tuesday 9 March 2010

Brewing new ideas

I've had an idea for a new pattern design brewing for a while now so have dedicated today to developing it past the sketch on paper stage. Ric rac and thick felt and delicious colours. It's so exciting when a design turns out as good as the picture in your head! More pics soon!

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Monday 8 March 2010

Yoda of the quilting world

Last Friday night I designated the long weekend to making some serious headway into finishing my daughter's quilt that I started well over two years ago. The top has been pieced for such a long time but the major task of quilting the layers together has had me stumped.

Three days later I find that I have almost finished the main part of the quilting work. But having strayed from the original pattern and creating my own design by stitching in the ditch (stitching along where the pieces meet), I find myself wondering 'How do I know when I've quilted it enough?'.

The answer surely lies within google I pondered. So I researched... how heavily to quilt a quilt, how much to quilt a quilt, how to quilt, best Oscars frocks.... the search terms got more and more vague. I found nothing. Feeling like I'd hit a quilt-covered brick wall, I walked away from the computer back to the sewing machine. And then it came to me.

It was almost like Yoda of the quilting world was speaking to me. He told me that I will know. I will know when it's done. Aside from considering I have been having too many late nights and too much caffeine, I accepted this sage wisdom wholeheartedly and plowed on. I will know when the quilting part of my quilt is done.

To sum up this long tale..... trust. Trust yourself and not the internet to tell you what to do with a craft project. Trust your creative side that it will know and guide you on your path. Don't let the google side win.
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Sunday 7 March 2010

Rain and Rainbows

It's been raining here in Adelaide for the last two days on and off. It's such a beautiful sound and when I heard it on our iron roof, I realised I have missed hearing it!

I'm a lover of rainbows too and found this in my travels. For lovers of everything rainbow, this cake surely must be birthday request!! I'm definitely making it for my next birthday!

source: whisk kid

I had never seen such a beautiful cake before so I googled for more rainbow cake images and found this amazing beauty.

Makes me want to go and bake right now instead of clean the house.......

Friday 5 March 2010

Vintage Ad Friday!

Three more vintage advertisements this week for you! I love the colours and the illustrations used in these.

First up we have an ad for The State Bank of Victoria from the early 1950's. This was taken from a Enid Gilchrist sewing book. Weren't those kids good savers!!? Just love the victory roll hairstyle of the teacher but she's a bit slovenly letting the kids leave their slingshots on the floor! Good heavens woman, get the kids to keep their weaponry on their desks so they won't trip!

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Next we have an ad for Lincoln men's underwear from Madame Weigel's Journal of Fashion, 1947. Don't you think this ad needs a subtext of 'Does my bum look big in these?'???!!

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And lastly my favourite for this week, a gorgeous bright ad for Ingotene cotton fabric, found in Woman magazine from 1945. Who wouldn't love some 'beach togs' made in cotton from this range?

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Wednesday 3 March 2010

New Aprons in store now!

New Aprons in Store Now!! Remember..... free postage to anywhere in Australia and New Zealand for any Silly Gilly apron!!

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Cowboy Capers Apron - featuring little button trims and feature red stitching. Perfect for the wrangling boy in your family!

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Atomic Aqua Apron - a gorgeous retro sixties print featuring a slight sparkle to the fabric. Perfect for that princess who loves to cook!